The Yinka Huwunline (YH) department’s primary purpose is to receive and track all outside activity which occurs within our territory and ensure the affected parties are notified.
Our office is the first point of contact for the Province of British Columbia to fulfill their obligation and duty to gain “free, prior and informed consent” from Nak’azdli Whut’en as determined by the courts for any projects within our territory. Our office receives all referrals from government, forestry, mining, LNG and other interests (i.e. restoration projects) and provide this information to the keyoh.
This is important work as cited by the Madell Pinder Lawyers’ Case Summary of the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) Tsilhqot’in vs Canada:
“The S.C.C. warned that if governments do not meet their obligations to justify infringements to Aboriginal Title, and do not act consistent with their fiduciary duties, project approval may be unraveled, and legislation may fall. The message is that governments that don’t justify their actions act at their peril.”
Nak’azdli Whut’en has exclusively occupied, stewarded, and benefited from our traditional territory since time immemorial and has never ceded, surrendered, or in any way relinquished our title to the land or resources.
Our Aboriginal title and rights are grounded in our deeply intimate relationship to the land and resources. All generations of Nak’azdli Whut’enne have been sustained through this relationship, which is expressed through our language, laws, culture, economy, society, governance, and spirituality. Nak’azdli Whut’en asserts title over the unceded territory of our people, and we exercise daily our rights of jurisdiction and decision making.
Nak’azdli asserts leadership and control in the stewardship of all resources coming from the land and water of the Nation. Assertion and recognition of inherent rights will be the foundation for rebuilding the natural environment, including our lakes, forests, rivers, and streams.
Nak’azdli Land Stewardship Plan
“What do the land, water, and air mean to you? How to we protect our animals, our fish, and our families? What are our most important cultural and natural resources? What is your vision for the keyoh?
The NY department with the keyoh community, has developed a Land Stewardship Plan according to the vision of the people, and it is also important to map out the path to a healthy and happy future for the land.
The Nak’azdli Land Stewardship Plan is rooted in the rights and title of Nak’azdli Whut’en. It is a tool for all community members to utilize and to work forward our long-term goals for the future.
Nak'azdli Development Corporation
Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
Meetings
